On 21-22 February the FIDE President had a working visit to the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria. There he had a meeting with Mr. Hachemi Djiar, the Minister of Youth and Sports who spoke about the sport development in the country. The Minister underlined that he is in good relations with the President of the Algerian chess federation Mrs. Taous Ameyar and he is satisfied with the work of the federation under her guidance. He understands the importance of chess in the sphere of education of rising generation. The Minister added that he supports the implementation of chess to the school curriculum and that is why the Ministry is also ready to invest in chess. He expressed the wish of Algeria to become the pilot project in Africa in chess education and for these purposes the Ministry will provide the land for construction of a Chess Academy which would become the centre of chess development not only in the countries of MAGHREB but all over the continent. According to the Minister Algeria has already got the experience of such cooperation with the International Judo Federation.

During the meeting with the National Education Minister Mr. Aboubekeur Benbouzid the Parties also discussed the question of chess introduction to schools. The experience of working of Mr. Aboubekeur Benbouzid in the Ministries is about 20 years. The work on chess promotion in several schools as the pilot chess projects is already started in Algeria. The Minister said that he is ready to support the project. It was agreed that in the nearest future an agreement on cooperation between FIDE, the Ministry of National Education and the Algerian chess federation will be signed. Mr. Benbouzid asked FIDE to assist in organization of chess seminars, methodological and other support. The workers of the Ministry will learn the positive experience of the other countries. Kirsan Ilyumzhinov promised that Mr. Ali Nihat Yazici, the President of the Turkish chess federation and the Chairman of Chess in Schools Commission will visit Algeria to discuss the plan of joint actions in this direction.

The FIDE President also had a meeting with the chess society of the country. The members of the national chess team (men and women), members of the chess federation leadership, arbiters, representatives of different chess clubs, mass media, Ministry of Youth and Sports, federation of school sports were present at the meeting. It was noted that there are 3305 registered players in Algeria nowadays and chess introduction to schools will help to increase the figures. The FIDE President spoke about main trends in the FIDE activity and answered the numerous questions of those present.

Later Kirsan Ilyumzhinov had a working meeting with Pr. Rachid Hanifi, the President of the Algerian National Olympic Committee. The FIDE President informed on the results of the meetings and asked to provide a full support to the International Chess Federation. Professor Hanifi supported desire of FIDE for chess to be included to the Winter Olympic Games programme. Moreover he sent a message to the IOC President. Also he seconded a proposal to place a permanent chess table in front of the central entrance.

The FIDE President also visited the office of the Algerian chess federation; Boumerdes where he had a meeting with the Governor of the city.

The FIDE Continental President for Africa Mr. Lakhdar Mazouz also participated in all the meetings.